Advice for Bi fold doors / roof lanterns for extension

mark66

mark66

mark66

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We are in the early stages of planning a rear of house extension to our 1930's semi. Our architect has drawn us some initial sketches and its time to start choosing between either a single 5m Bifold or two 2.2m French doors, a decision I imagine could well be dictated by cost.

The extension is single storey and will have a flat roof due its depth. He has therefore recommended two 2.7m x 1.2m roof lanterns to give light from above. For these we are hoping to find something with a more modern / minimalist design and not some of the horrible Edwardian style UPVC heavy style ones that are out there.

I have started searching the net hoping to find companies who can hopefully supply both and to get some approximate costings. There seem to be a few websites our there but its difficult to tell if they are going to be any good or not. I have read quite a few comments such as 'Don't buy the cheapest' or 'beware lots of sharks out there'.

Therefore hoping someone else may have had these type of doors / roof lights and what tips or recommendations they can give?

Cheers
 
We're looking at an extension too, we're also thinking about Bifolds. Everyone we've spoken to has advised spending extra money on quality Bifold doors with emphasis on Aluminium doors rather UPVC. Slightly better than UPVC doors are wood encased in UPVC to avoid/reduce heat warping etc. I think we're just going to get French doors to save money, as Bifolds seem so expensive and the cost estimates keep increasing.

Good luck
 
velux do roof lights and they're quite 'minimal' in design in my opinion

Doors, to get an idea of price maybe try wickes, pretty sure they had bifold etc doors.
 
FerretBoy said:
I went for origin bi-fold in white aluminium. Amazing quality £3k fitted for 3.5m span.
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Thanks, these look really good and are based in High Wycombe, so local to us which could be an bonus.

Did you order direct from them or through a 3rd party / builder?
What configuration did you go for to get 3.5m for £3k fitted?
Also how do they feel when its really cold outside? Did you go double or triple glazed?

Thanks for the help :)
 
3 panes, double glazed, satin steel handles.
From a window company, I'm sure origin will be able to advise a local fitter. I might have got a small discount as the fitters are friends with the wife's family, but I doubt was very much if any.
No issue with it being cold outside, the seals ae good and so little aluminium that it doesn't create any noticeable cold air flow.
As I said before the quality is top notch.
 
just in the process of doing a 4m deep by 7m wide rear extension to our house. We've put an EPDM flat roof due to the depth. The roof has 3 x 900mm square Velux rooflights in the ceiling, they were £600 each. We've also gone for a 3.5m bifold door, 3 panes, each pane fitted with internal blinds. Cost including fitting was £4.2k (the blinds were £300 per panel and the fitting was £600) which is where the cost grew for them, that was from Express Bifolding doors (these are being installed today!).

Couple of pictures:

http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010080011N14296140211886696
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010080021N14296140211886696
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010080031N14296140211886696
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0200010080041N14296140211886696
 
I considered the blinds, but the demo unit was scratched to pieces from the magnet. They had removed the plastic backing as was preventing the blinds from operating. Seemed like a great idea that was not implemented well. I hope you have better luck/design.
 
Demo stuff was all looking good without scratches etc, and they come with a 5 year warranty for the blinds and 10 year for the doors. I liked the solar powered one's, but they were £900 per panel! :eek:
 
I'd go with the french doors personally. Most of our neighbours have or are in the process of having rear kitchen extension/day room things and the trend seems to be moving away from bi-folds now. We had them at our last place and they were a bit annoying I thought.
 
Arcane said:
I'd go with the french doors personally. Most of our neighbours have or are in the process of having rear kitchen extension/day room things and the trend seems to be moving away from bi-folds now. We had them at our last place and they were a bit annoying I thought.
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Interesting to hear this view. I am also currently undecided with which to go with. I personally think the house will look more attractive from the rear with the single Bi fold door, but also wonder whether I would find the wall that we would gain by having twin doors useful to put a furniture / units against.

What did you find annoying about yours? I see there are many configurations, such as side openings to spilt central openings (eg 6 door) which I can imagine will have quite a large difference on their ease of use.
 
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